The Peterson Principle: 4/6/2015

I’m still waiting for word out of Norwalk. There has been no announcement on who will replace Jesse Ceniceros who stepped down to take the head coaching job at Chino.

Rumors were circulating soon after Ceniceros left that Dean Gray, who preceded Ceniceros would return to the sidelines. Gray last coached the Lancers in 2007 and is still at the school. Gray’s last game was a 40-0 loss to Charter Oak in the first round of the playoffs. If Gray does come back as the head coach it wouldn’t be unprecedented. In recent years Matt Koffler left and returned to Rosemead and Keith Jones stepped down at San Gabriel only to return a year later.

If Gray does return he’ll have some talent to work with. Quarterback Auscencio Navarro (497 yards, 6 touchdowns passing), and running backs Chris Walker (918 yards) and Gevon Moore (315 yards) are all back in the fold. Also there is the motivation factor. The Lancers are still stinging from last year’s first round playoff loss to Paramount. Isn’t there another Penny on the way?

My gut feeling is that if Gray was the guy he would have been named already. Stay tuned.

Baldwin Park is still open. Who’s my candidate? Wardell Crutchfield of course. He a had a lot of success as the HC at Duarte and he has ties to BP. He was on James Heggins’ staff as an assistant. Will it happen? “No,” Crutchfield said quickly dismissing the notion. Okay then who? Heggins?

Since we’re on the subject of coaches returning how about Brandon Rohrer reuniting with La Puente? Rohrer left on good terms for the opportunity at Etiwanda. That didn’t work out as planned. He enjoyed his run there and when Scott Morrison went to Corona Santiago the Athletic Director position opened up as well. Sounds like a perfect fit. What do you say coach?

Arroyo will start throwing with other schools on April 18. Impressive turnout last Saturday for the Knights. On a Saturday in April, the day before Easter, Arroyo had 50 kids out for practice. Does Arroyo Coach Jim Singiser feel any sense of urgency or pressure in 2015 after missing the playoffs last year?

“Not any more than any other year. We come out here every year with the same goal in mind – to win and make the playoffs. But this team has been really been fun to coach so far,” Singiser said.

Question. Who’s the quarterback? The early front runner is Humberto Pantoja. He took most of the snaps Saturday and was Chaz Miller’s backup last year.

Gabrielino and Mt. View are also looking for starting quarterbacks in 2015. The best QB in the MVL? Rosemead and El Monte fans will haggle over this one. Steven Nava returns for the Panthers while Edward Dominguez will be back behind center for the Lions. Let the debate begin.